Adjusting to building in the post-Sandy world at the Shore

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As John Sartor looks to the future of Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor, he knows it will have a heavy focus on work tied to Hurricane Sandy as the state continues to rebuild from the 2012 storm.

That’s because that work hits on many of the strengths of the Warren-based engineering and design firm.

“The new paradigm about how to construct post-Sandy is still important,” said Sartor, who recently took over as CEO of PS&S. “I’m not even sure everybody understands it yet because it took so long for some of the money to flow, but it’s something that I think is extremely important to everybody in our region — real estate folks, utilities, etc.

“So, for us, we are very focused on taking our skills and everything we’ve learned about how to build in a flood-prone environment,” he said. “And we really are pushing to make sure that’s something we’re here to help with. And it’s across the board.”

While Sartor noted that Sandy devastated all corners of the state, he said much of the firm’s storm-related work is helping fuel the growth of its Wall office. Since its opening in 2013, the office has grown to 30 employees, who are tackling projects such as the boardwalk restoration in Seaside Heights and the Department of Transportation’s reconstruction of Route 35.

“For an area that we stayed away from for so many years, it’s been great,” Sartor said. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity for us.”

With its niche in real estate, which PS&S has had for most of its 53-year history, and a practice in the utility industry, one that has been burgeoning over the past two decades, Sartor said the firm has positioned itself to be a part of efforts to rebuild storm-damaged infrastructure. That will help guide the firm as it explores new ways to grow and form partnerships with other organizations involved in that effort.

“Now the money is flowing, now people have to figure out how to get it built,” Sartor said. “And I think that’s where we can bring in strategic alliances and kind of offer something a little bit different from what we had in the past.”

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On Twitter: @joshburdnj

Building in Lavallette

Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor will soon be able to unveil one of its first projects to come out of its Wall office: the new Lavallette municipal building.

The Warren-based firm was contracted to design a replacement for the building after it was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. The project called for a police station, municipal offices and a post office, among other sections.

But, like many other Sandy-related projects, the key feature is its response to the 2012 storm. PS&S said the building aesthetics were driven by new flood elevations required by the federal government, such as a first floor that is 4 feet above the ground.